Newcastle will have to make do without the services of midfielder Isaac Hayden for their match against Aston Villa on Monday evening.
Hayden has been ruled out for four weeks after undergoing ankle surgery. The 21-year-old has been a key player in Newcastle’s promotion push this season and has started 23 out of their 31 League matches thus far.
During his press conference on Friday, Newcastle manager Benitez confirmed that Hayden will be unavailable saying, “We have had an operation for Isaac Hayden on his ankle. He needed an operation. It could for around four weeks more or less, it depends on how he gets on.”
This is not exactly an ideal situation for the Magpies especially as Benitez gave permission to Cheick Tiote to depart for China in January. Jonjo Shelvy will now likely be supported in midfield by Jack Colback against Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa on Monday.
